ALBANY, N.Y., September 21, 2005 – The Albany Medical Center will host a community meeting to educate the public on a national clinical study it plans to participate in. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the blood substitute PolyHeme in saving the lives of trauma patients.

PolyHeme is an oxygen-carrying fluid derived from human blood and is designed for use in cases of major blood loss such as shootings, motor vehicle or construction-site accidents when blood is urgently needed but not available. Treatment would begin before arrival at the hospital, either at the scene of the injury or in the ambulance, and would continue through a 12-hour post-injury period in the hospital.

“Trauma-related injuries are a leading cause of death among Americans under 45 years old,” said Carl Rosati, M.D., director, section of trauma, division of general surgery, and principal investigator of the study. “If we can begin to treat these patients very early with an oxygen-carrying solution and keep their hemoglobin levels up, we may see more survivors.”

A meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 5 at the Huyck Auditorium at Albany Med. Dr. Rosati will explain the study protocol and the potential risks and benefits associated with the study. The public’s comments and concerns will be solicited and addressed. For more information, please call (518) 262-2828 or visit www.amc.edu/polyheme.